Managed Care Evolving as Health Reform Unfolds

Monday, December 19, 2011

Healthcare reform is challenging many hospitals and health systems, as most have already made significant reductions in expenses and are managing the negative impact of a weak economy. Quality and outcome tracking have become critical to the success of healthcare organizations. “Now, partially in response to employers trying to reduce costs, we’re seeing our provider clients take another look,” says Steve Kratz, Witt/Kieffer vice president and managed care practice leader. “They feel pressure to develop greater expertise in managing all the elements that affect the cost of care.”

Future regulations will favor larger, more integrated systems as consolidation and electronic health records become the norm. Providers are now looking for managed care executives who can adopt an integrated approach that combines contracting ability with strength and experience in marketing and branding, finance, customer service support, data analytics, and care management.